Principal's Peek at the Week
Saints Joseph and John School - September 7, 2023
Dear Saints Joseph and John School Families,
“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” – Hebrews 6:18
Three weeks in and we are back in the swing of things at SJJ! Parents, students, and families visited with teachers and staff at our Back to School Night. We also welcomed our Little Vikings Preschool students to our building, which adds such joy to SJJ!
Ed Choice Scholarship: We are so excited that 88 percent of our SJJ families have applied for the EdChoice Scholarship, which provides up to the tuition amount for every single student in grades K-8. The EdChoice Scholarship follows your student all the way through 12th grade should he or she choose to attend a Catholic High School.
It's not too late to apply if you haven't done so already. Please contact our school's Business Manager Patty Briggs for more information at pbriggs@sjjschool.org.
For those families who have applied for the scholarship, when you receive your acceptance letter via US Mail, please sign it and return to the school's Business Office as soon possible. Once the school receives your signed letter, your FACTS account can be updated and tuition agreements can be adjusted.
We ask for your prayers for our SJJ community, and please know of our school community’s continued prayers for you.
Please read on for more important information.
Blessings,
Mrs. Schenek
We Welcome Our Little Vikings Preschoolers!
Back to School Night Welcome Messages in 4th Grade
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
1. When families have SUBMITTED the Income Verification via the State portal, it will be reviewed in the order in which it was received. Once the State begins reviewing the income portion of the application, parents will receive an email that notifies them that their application is UNDER REVIEW.
2. Once the income review is completed by the State, parents will receive a second email that notifies them that their INCOME VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE. This email will note what level or dollar amount that your family qualifies for.
We kindly ask that families forward us this information to school Business Manager Patty Briggs at pbriggs@sjjschool.org.
3. The State will mail - via US Mail - an ACCEPTANCE letter. All families are required to sign and return this letter to the School. This allows SJJ to officially accept your child's scholarship with the State, begin inputting their attendance, and then begin receiving the scholarship allocation toward tuition.
Sundaes on Sunday
All 7th and 8th graders are invited to “Sundaes on Sunday” on September 17th at St. Joseph Church. High school faith mentors and other members of By Teens For Teens youth ministry will meet in the cave (below the chapel) from 6:00pm to 7:30pm for sundaes, prayer, activities and adoration.
We look forward to welcoming our new 7th and 8th graders!
Email Linda Zvoncheck for more information at lzvoncheck@sjohio.org.
Join the Choir
What: One combined youth choir for both Strongsville Parishes and SJJ School.
Who: Directed by Melissa and Luke Massery, Music Directors.
When: Three “sessions” per year, like a sport, with weekly rehearsals.
Why: To make Mass beautiful, enjoy friendship, learn proper singing/music, glorify God.
Where: Both churches and school Masses - the “School Mass” choir and the Youth Choir are the same. Children may not sing at School Mass or Christmas unless they join the choir.
Benefits:
- Proper vocal training and technique, to sing without strain or shout.
- Learn to read music, which improves all areas of cognition!
- To foster the beauty of our sung Catholic tradition, especially Gregorian Chant.
- Grow in our faith and love of Jesus.
- An excellent alternative to a “team sport,” that is still athletic in a different way!
Free and Reduced Lunch Application- Deadline Extended
If you qualified for a higher tuition scholarship amount through EdChoice Scholarship Program, you may also qualify for this benefit and are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so you don't miss out.
Please see the attached information and application regarding free and reduced lunch for the 2023-2024 school year.
Those interested in the program should return the application by September 30, 2023.
For questions, please contact school Business Manager Patty Briggs at pbriggs@sjjschool.org or by phone at 440-238-4956.
From the Lunchroom
PTU INFORMATION
Save the Date
Parents - Please join the PTU on Monday, September 11th in McGraw Hall from 6:30-7:30pm as we go through the events and fundraisers planned for the school year. Help is always appreciated! At this meeting we will share the upcoming events and the type of assistance that is needed. Hope to see you there!
Annual Craft Fair
The annual PTU craft fair will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The craft fair is from 9 am - 4 pm. The show consists of more than 100 crafters at tables in McGraw Hall, the gym and the connecting hallways.
Please click on the link below for more information:
PTU EXECUTIVE BOARD:
- Co-Presidents- Natalie Pratt, Roxanne Yurcik
- Treasurer- Tina Dzik
- Secretary- Laura LaNasa
- VP of Operations- Krista Klefos
- VP of Marketing- Julie Lytle
- VP of Fundraising- Kristina Arch
To reach our PTU team please email stsjjptu@gmail.com
Bank in School Program
Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union is once again partnering with SJJ for the 2023-2024 school year with its Bank In School Program. It is their mission to collaborate with Catholic schools like SJJ and support Catholic education. Through Bank In School, the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union promotes financial literacy and encourages students in grades K-12 to develop healthy saving habits by opening their very own savings accounts.
SJJ was the lucky winner of a OCFCU raffle drawing and was presented with a $500 check that will go toward our school's general operating expenses!
Representatives will be on campus from 7:15-8:15 a.m. on the following dates for students to make their deposits into their savings accounts:
September 20, 2023
October 18, 2023
November 15, 2023
December 20, 2023
January 17, 2024
February 21, 2024
March 20, 2024
April 17, 2024
May 22, 2024
DISMISSAL REQUEST
The staff has also asked that Kindergarten parents add a (K) next to the family name on the yellow placard to ensure these students receive extra assistance as they exit the building.
Thank you for your help in making our dismissal process run as smoothly as possible!
Volunteer Opportunities
The VIRTUS program has four components:
1. Register online at www.virtus.org for a three-hour VIRTUS workshop. At the workshop you will view videos and discuss abuse situations that may take place with children. You must provide attendance verification (copy of the certificate) to the school office.
2. Sign and Return Policy Verification Forms.
- Log on to https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/offices/parish-life/child-protection
- Scroll down and click to read the "Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse" and "Standards of Conduct for Ministry."
- Return your 2 signed acknowledgement forms (Found at the end of each policy) to the school office.
- These 2 forms are also available at www.sjjschool.org under SJJ Families.
3. Enroll into Selection.com
- Log on to your VIRTUS account at www.virtus.org. Click Toolbox on the menu bar, choose Selection.com Background Check on the sidebar, and follow the instructions.
4. Read articles that will be provided to you on your VIRTUS account. After you have completed at least 24 readings, print off your VIRTUS Compliance Report.
- Log on to www.virtus.org
- Go to 1-My Training, 2-Training Compliance, 3-Training Report
- Print the report and return it to the school office.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Wendy Depauw at wdepauw@sjjschool.org
CONTACT US
Shelly Schenek, Principal
Jennifer Francis, Assistant Principal
Angela Bosko, Little Vikings Preschool Director
Patricia Briggs, Business Manager
Joe Clark, Admissions and Marketing Coordinator
Fr. Barry Gearing, Treasurer
Fr. Joe Mamich, President
Saints Joseph and John School Mission
Saints Joseph and John School lives the values and teachings of our Catholic faith, serves as Jesus served and encourages lifelong learning.